Handle for pocket-cutlery



.(KodeL) N. .B. SLAYT0N. v Handle for Pocket Ou t-lery, 8:0. N0. 237,138.

Patented "Feb. 1,1881.

INVE NTOR ATTESTI Nv PETERS. PHOTWLIYHOGFAFHER. WASHINGTON. D C

NITED STATES PAT NT OFFICE.

NELSON B. SLAYTON, OF ALFRED CENTRE, NEW YORK.

HANDLE FOR POCKET-CUTLERY, 80C.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 237,138, dated February 1, 1881.

Application filed July 20, 1880. (Model) To all whom at may concern:

Be it known that I, NELsoN B. SLAYTON,01 AlfredOentre, in the county of Allegany and State of New York, a citizen of the United States, have invented certain Improvements in Handles for Pocket Instruments, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has reference, mainly, to the construction of the handles of such combined instruments as are to be carried in the pocket, such as cutlery, combs, nail-files, &c., the invention consisting, partly, in the manner of forming the handle, and partly in the manner of securing the instruments,when closed,into the pockets in the handle.

Although I may employ any number of instruments grouped together in one handle, and may employ any kind or variety of instruments. I have here shown three instruments-a razor, a comb, and a nail file and trimmer--all provided with a socketed handle in common.

In the drawings which serve to illustrate my invention, Figure 1 is aside view of a combined pocket instrument. embodying my inventlon, the instruments being shown as partly open. Fig. 2 shows one edge of the same, and Fig. 3 the other edge, the comb or central instrument being opened in both. Fig. 4 is a cross-section of the combined instrument with the blades closed, the same being taken near the center of the handle. Fig. 5 is a cross-section of the triple-pocketed handle only. Fig. 6 is a cross-section of the handle, taken in the plane of the line a; a: in Fig. 1. Figs. 7, 8, and 9 are modifications which will be referred to hereinafter. Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7, and 9 are drawn to a larger scale than the other views.

The handle A is constructed from one piece of sheet metal, which is bent or folded so as to form two or more pockets, a a, opening in opposite ways alternately, as best shown in Fig. 5. Either edge may be considered the back, so I preferto designate them simply as the opposite edges. The handle thus'formed 'may have only two folds and two pockets opening opposite ways, as in Fig. 7, or any convenient number of folds with a corresponding number of pockets, the even numbered pockets opening in one direction, and the odd numbered in the opposite direct-ion. Fig. 9 shows a handle with four pockets.

B B B are instruments all arranged to turn on a common rivet, b, in the end of the handle, and to fold into their respective pockets when closed. In this case B is a razor, B a comb, and B a nail file and cleaner. I prefer,in most cases, to construct each instrument of a tubular back, 0, of folded sheet metal, adapted to embrace and hold the operative part d, and provided with a tang to receive the rivet b but in some cases the instrument may be made solid from one piece of metal or other material.

0 is the butt of the handle, which may be of cast or chased metal, if desired. This butt has attached to it, or forming part of it, sliding plates 6 e, one for each of the pockets at a, and arranged to fit snugly therein, as best shown in Figs. 1 and 6. The two outer plates are slotted, and into these slots fit lugs or detents g g, secured to the innerfaces of the outer plates of the handle. The vplates e c are thus constructed to be pushed up into the handle for a little distance and to be drawn back again, the butt proper limiting the movement in one direction, and the detents in the slots the movement in the opposite direction.

The tubular form of the backs c of the instruments leaves sockets at their free extremities, h h, and these sockets, when the instruments are closed, (see Fig. 2,) register with pins 1' t on the sliding plates 0 6, so that when the instruments are closed or shut and the butt is pressed up to the handle (see dotted lines in Fig. 1) the pins enter the sockets and prevent the instruments from opening until the plates and pins are again drawn out to release them. The pins might be on the instruments and the sockets in the slides; but I prefer the present construction.

In some cases -I may fix the butt to the handle permanently, and make the pins only movable, as indicated in Fig.8. In such a construction each pin may be made to operate as a fastening independently. This method of fastening the blades is somewhat similar to that shown in my Patent No. 220,438, dated October 7, 1879; but in that the locking-pin is fixed to the handle and the blade is hinged with a slotted pivot, so that when closed it can be slid toward and engaged with the pin. The blades in my present construction are hinged in the ordinary manner, so that they have no sliding movement.

To give the outer plates of the handle additional stifl'ness, I may fold back the metal upon itself, as shown at jj in Fig. 5, and braze or solder it to the handle proper; or plates might be attached to stitfen it.

The comb B is provided with a shoulder, k, which rests upon a stop-piece, l, on the handle when the comb is opened, as shown in Fig. 2. Any of the instruments may be so provided, if deemed desirable.

Although Iprefer to form my handle of sheet metal and bend itas shown, it might be molded into the shape shown from some suitable material, or be cut from a solid piece.

Having thus described my invention, I claim- 1. A handle for a combined pocket instrument formed of a plate or sheet of metal or other suitable material, in one piece, bent, folded, or constructed so as to form two or more pockets for hinged folding blades or iiistruments, the said pockets opening alternately in opposite directions, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination of the handle A, formed with a pocket, a, a folding instrument hinged 2 5 to one end of the handle and adapted to fold into said pocket, and a longitudinally-sliding pin, 1', arranged at the opposite end of the handle in such position as to register with a socket in said instrument when the latter is 0 closed, and capable of sliding into said socket and thereby locking the instrument and preventing its accidental opening, substantially as set forth.

3. The handle A, formed from one piece of 5 sheet metal and folded to form pockets a a, arranged to open alternately in opposite directions, as shown, and having its outer edges bent back upon and fixed to the outer faces of the handle to form stiffening-plates jj, as set 0 forth.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

NELSON B. SLAYTON. Witnesses A. E. CRANDALL, J. L. LANGWORTHY. 

